Improvement in temporary binders



W. H. BARNAR D.

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Patented nine 17. 1873.

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UNITED STATES PATENT Orrron.

WILLIAM H. BARNARD, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN TEMPORARY BINDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 139,998, dated June 17, 1873; application filed May 8, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM HENRY BARNARD, of the city of Washington, in the county of Washington and District of Columbia, have invented certain Improvements in Temporary Binders, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to certain improve ments in receptacles for letters commonly known as paper, letter, or file-holders and its object is-to provide a device, simple in construction, and of easy operation, in which letters may be preserved without folding, so that they can be readily referred'to, and in which a large number may be packed. These improvements consist of a rectangular box made with a bottom, two sides, and one end piece,

an angular piece being removed from the front end of one side to facilitate the handling of the contents of the box, and having the top -made in three parts, one of which is permanently :attached to the sides, and the others adjustable within the box by means of catches or hooks and toothed or other racks.

In the drawings annexed illustrating my invention, Figure 1 is a perspective view thereof. Fig.2 is a perspective view of the catch and rack enlarged, a portion of one side of the rack'being broken away. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of catch and rack. Fig. 4 is a top view of the catch, showing the interior of the head thereof.

The letter A represents the bottom of the box, and B G the sides. An angular portion of the front end of the side B is removed, as shown at a, so that the papers in the box may be handled with greater facility than if the side was perfectly straight. The cover or lid is composed of three strips D E F. Strip D is permanently attached to the sides of the box, and flush with the top thereof, sothat a number of boxes may be placed one on top of the other for convenience in packing away, and serving also to strengthen the box. The strips E and F are of unequal width, preferably, the former being the smaller, and they are capable of a vertical adjustment within the box through the medium of catches G and racks H on the strips and sides B C, respectively. Angular elongated notches g are made in the ends of strips E F, fitting closely to the racks H, and serve to steady them in their adjustment, as hereinafter described. The catch G (see Figs. 2 and 4) consists of two arms I) b, the heads 0 c of which are hollowed out and fitted together in such manner as to form a recess, in which a coiled spring, d, is placed, the ends of which bear against the arms I) b to spread them apart so as to render their action elastic. Ears e e are formed on the arms I) b to facilitate their operation, and the ends of said arms are turned at right angles and beveled, as shown in Fig. 2, to form teeth f f to engage with the racks H. A hole is made through the heads 0 0 through which a screw is passed to secure the catch to the strip. The racks H are made with a back plate, h, having holes in it through which fastening-devices, as screws, are passed, with a toothed portion 2, and a front flange k extending to or a little beyond the edges of the teeth, and the upper edge of the part c and flange k is beveled, as shown, the rack thus constructed being made in one piece. The racks are applied to the box in pairs, or rights and lofts, and are fitted in recesses in the sides B 0 made therein, of a depth sufficient to receive the back-plates h, so as to let the parts i k project into the notches g of the strips, and thereby act as guides to keep the strips straight or level and aid them in their adjustment. The heads of the fastening devices used to secure the racks in the recesses should be coun tersunk into the plate h, so as to present an even surface for the ends of the strips to move upon. The catches G and racks H are cast in brass or other metal, and the other parts of the box are of wood, such as walnut, and the boxes are made of various sizes to hold note, letter, foolscap, or other paper, without folding, so as to do away with the necessity of briefing or indorsing.

The operation is as follows: The strips E and F are removed or simply raised by pressin g the arms I) I) together so as to release them from the teeth on t, and a number of letters, &c., as indicated at z, are inserted in the box.

The strips are then pressed down upon them,

and when sufficiently far the pressure may be removed; the teeth f engage with the teeth 5, and thereby hold the strips and letters in place. Whenever reference is to be made to the letters the strip F is removed, and by inspecting them from the beveled edge a the desired document may be readily gotten at; this beveled edge serving as a rest for and permitting the natural movement of the hand and this forms one of the excellencies of my box. The end of the box can be used for receiving the necessary label for indicating its contents, and when full the boxes can be piled one upon another, and conveniently stowed away in a small space.

A cheaper and somewhat simpler catch and rack is shown in Fig. 8. A recess with beveled edges is made in the side 0 and a bevelededge tongue I on the strip F fits therein. A number of blind staples H are driven into this recess, which take the place of the teeth 6, and an ordinary hook G is attached to the strip F in lieu of the catch G, which engages with these blind staples to hold the strip in place. A notch g is made in the tongue Z so as to permit the tongue to pass along the staples. The tongue and recess act as a guide to the strip in its adjustments.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. A bill or letter file, constructed with a bottom, beveled side B, straight side 0, one end piece, and a three-part top operated by catches and racks, substantially as described.

2. The three-part cover or lid provided with catches, which engage with racks on the box in such manner as to allow the vertical adjustment of a part of said lid in the box; for the purpose of permitting an inspection of its contents without their displacement, as set forth.

3. The combination of the racks H, with catches G, and strips E and F, substantially as and for the purpose described. 7

To the above I have signed my name this 8th day of May, A. D. 1873.

W. H. BARNARD.

Witnesses:

A. O. BRADLEY, WM. H. FINOKEL. 

